Tattoo Remorse

Apr 2 2017

What is tattoo remorse?

Many people have second thoughts about their tattoos. For some it is the memory of an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend whereas others want a clean slate for a new tattoo.People may have thought a design was really cool years ago only to find it to be completely out of style or even silly.New moms sometimes feel that they don’t want their children to know they had a tattoo or see the design they chose.

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with your decision forever. For many years we used the VersaPulse® laser to successfully lighten or remove tattoos by pulsing light on the ink particles. In 2016 we upgraded our technology to the PicoWay Laser.The PicoWay represents a giant leap forward in treating tattoos. This laser emits a beam of light that shatters the ink into tiny pieces that are absorbed harmlessly by the body. All this can be accomplished without damaging the surrounding tissue.The biggest advantages of the PicoWay laser is that it can remove tattoos in fewer treatments and with less risk of scarring than the older devices.The older devices called nanosecond lasers are still widely used because, in general they are cheaper.The new devices cost much more than the older but in general the per treatment cost is similar to older devices so the treatment has become more cost effective .The advantage for the individual seeking tattoo removal is that oftentimes the picosecond lasers can remove tattoos in half the number of treatments compared to the old devices.

Other lasers might emit a light beam of only one color. This means that doctors sometimes need as many as four different lasers to treat multicolored tattoos. The PicoWay Laser can be thought of as three lasers in one as it emits light of differing wavelengths targeting different color inks. It recently became available with a wavelength that can treat even the most stubborn green ink.

Laser tattoo removal treatments are done in the office with either a topical anesthetic gel or local anesthesia or a combination of both to make you feel comfortable. When you leave the office you will be given instructions on how to take care of the area. The number of treatments depends on the complexity of the individual’s tattoo. We offer complimentary consultations to discuss each person’s needs. Laser tattoo removal is the most effective method of removing tattoos with the minimal amount of risks.